The following is hereby published in accordance with the Federal Crime Awareness and Security Act of 1990. Any questions or comments regarding the following should be directed to the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Services and Dean of Students, Nelson 314.

Reporting Criminal Actions or Other Emergencies

All known or suspected violations of University policy or state and/or federal crime should be reported either to the Office of Public Safety, located on campus in the first floor of Alumni Hall at 601-925-3204, or to the Clinton Police Department at 601-924-5252. Emergencies should likewise be reported to the Office of Public Safety by calling 9-911, 911, or 3911. Any of the 15 emergency Code Blue phone units strategically placed around the campus may also be used to report emergencies. These units are located around the academic buildings, residence halls and parking areas and are easily identified by the blue light and the word EMERGENCY displayed on the white pole. Pushing the button located on the front of the call box will automatically connect the user to campus security. Within the residence halls, residence life staff should also be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the Office of Public Safety and/or Clinton Police are necessary to insure the safety and protection of students and employees of Mississippi College. Crimes occurring off campus should be reported immediately to the law enforcement agency where the crime occurred.

Once a report has been made, the Office of Public Safety will follow standard operating procedures in responding and processing said report. This response will include appropriate notification and documentation.

Security and Access to Campus Facilities

Recognizing that safety to a certain extent is the responsibility of the entire campus community, students are asked to use good judgment while they are residents of the campus community. All suspicious activity should immediately be reported to the Office of Public Safety. Please refer to the campus emergency procedures published in the Mississippi College Student Handbook and available on the Office of Public Safety website (mc.edu/safety).

Buildings are secured on campus during non-operating hours by the Office of Public Safety. Once a building is secured, access may be gained only by authorized persons with Mississippi College issued identification cards using magnetic tape strips or keys. Other authorized access may be gained by contacting the Office of Public Safety.

All campus buildings, facilities, and grounds belonging to the institution are regularly patrolled by both vehicle and foot patrol by security officers. Specific areas of campus are also monitored by cameras.

Within all residence halls, outside entrance doors, other than front door lobby doors, are locked at all times. All non-residents entering the halls after that time must use the front door entrance. All lobbies which remain open are monitored by lobby workers from 3:00 p.m. to midnight seven days per week. All non-residents must be acknowledged by the lobby worker. All entrances are locked at designated times with access gained only by Mississippi College issued identification cards using magnetic tape strips.

Vehicle registration decals are issued to students and employees in order that unauthorized vehicles might be more easily recognized. Upon request, security officers will provide escort services to and from vehicles or from buildings to buildings should individuals feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Individuals may receive assistance by contacting the Office of Public Safety, 601-925-3204.

Gates are used to limit vehicle access to campus during late evening hours. These gates are located at (a) Highway 80 and Coliseum Drive, (b) College Street at the stadium and (c) off Clinton Parkway by the Healthplex. Gates are closed from Midnight to 5:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Friday through Sunday. The gates may be closed in emergency situations as determined by the Office of Public Safety.

With safety concerns in mind, the College maintains appropriately manicured trees and shrubbery around buildings and on campus grounds. Appropriate campus lighting is also a priority in an effort to reduce the opportunity for criminal activity.

Campus Law Enforcement

The role of the Office of Public Safety is to work toward ensuring the safety of all individuals while on campus and provide for the security of all properties of the college. In doing so, it is recognized that security at Mississippi College is everybody’s business. Although no community can be totally risk-free in today’s society, the office works toward securing partnerships with students, faculty, staff, administration and guests in creating an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to learning. The Office of Public Safety is also responsible for the control, regulation and flow of traffic on Mississippi College property. The Office of Public Safety is located on the First Floor of Alumni Hall and can be reached at 601-925-3204.

The Office establishes and maintains communications with the officially recognized civil and criminal law enforcement authorities of the City of Clinton and Jackson, and the County of Hinds by way of operational policy understandings and by way of mobile radio units and a stationary base unit, located in the Office of Public Safety. Officers are authorized and directed to make citizen’s arrests of individuals creating disturbances against the general peace, interfering with the security of the physical plant, facilities or grounds, or interfering with or disturbing the safety and the general welfare of members of the Mississippi College community. When such a citizen’s arrest is necessary, the Office of Public Safety shall, as promptly as possible, and beforehand if reasonable, request city or county law enforcement authorities to respond and assist.

Security Programs

Mississippi College provides informative programs to students and employees on the following topics:

Campus Security Procedures and Practice

Crime Prevention and Awareness

These programs are offered annually at New Faculty and Staff Orientation, Welcome

Week for Freshmen, and at residence hall meetings.

Statistics

Federal law provides that students and employees be informed during the most recent calendar year and during the two preceding calendar years of the reported number of on-campus occurrences of the following criminal offenses: murder; sex offenses, forcible or non-forcible; robbery; aggravated assault; burglary; and motor vehicle theft. Statistics are also maintained as to the number of arrests for liquor law violations, drug abuse violations, and weapons possessions on campus. These statistics are provided in the Mississippi College Student Handbook and on the Public Safety Web Page. Monthly updates of categorized violations and their campus locations can be viewed

in the Office of Public Safety. The same information is provided to employees annually through campus mailers. Copies are also located in the Office of Public Safety, Office of Enrollment Services, and Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Services and Dean of Students, and the Personnel Office.

Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures

Mississippi College provides annual educational programs to promote awareness among students of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses. If a sex offense occurs, campus security and/or Clinton Police should be contacted promptly. There should not be any removal or destruction of any evidence that might be helpful or necessary for investigation and follow-up. Bathing or washing clothes or other fabrics which may have come in contact with the perpetrator before calling the police may hamper or defeat investigation of the sex offense.

Institutional sanctions may be imposed following the final determination of an on- campus disciplinary procedure regarding rape, acquaintance rape, or other sex offenses, forcible or non-forcible, in addition to civil or criminal action. Sanctions for students may include sanctions listed in Article IV, Section B and C of the Student Conduct Code. The procedure for on-campus disciplinary action will follow the procedures generally outlined on I Article IV, Section A of the Student Conduct Code. Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the rights afforded in Article IV of the Student Conduct Code.

Campus Counseling Services are available for students subjected to sexual or nonsexual assault of any kind or nature. The confidentiality of all persons will be respected and no information or names will be released without the consent of the victim.

Security and Safety Tips

Students are expected to contribute to their own safety by being prepared and alert to their surroundings. In addition students are expected to:

Lock the doors to their residence hall rooms. never loan dorm keys or ID cards to others. never prop doors or entrances to residence halls. never allow strangers to enter residence halls.

REPORT incidents which violate the Rules of the College or criminal activity immediately to Campus Security, residence hall staff, or local police.